UPDATED 23 January 2011

101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division, Fort Campbell, KY

AIR ASSAULT WINGS: BULLWINKLE OR COCKY?

Does this look like Bullwinkle?Does this look like an Army badge???

Since 1974 when the U.S. Army first introduced the Air Assault badge...things have not been all that they should be. Air Assault units are vital to the 3-Dimensional maneuver and combat power projection and war-winning capacity of the U.S. Army. With the U.S. Army leading the way in vertical envelopment tactics beginning with the parachute and glider Airborne in the '40s with the first combat use of helicopters in the China-Burma-India theater in WWII to the creation of the helicopter gunship to escort and protect "troop ships", Air Assault capabilities have improved steadily each year. This fearsome Army force was begun in the early 1960s with the legendary 11th Airborne Division (Air Assault) as the ones who tested and perfected the equipment and actics that the reflagged 1st Air Cavalry Division would made history with when it deployed to Vietnam, winning such battles as "LZ X-Ray" described in the book, "We were Soldiers once and young" by General Hal Moore and popularized in the film, "Apocalypse Now". The largest Air Assault in history by the legendary 101st Airborne Division into Iraq during Desert Storm is just the latest success.

The real U.S. Army Air Assault Wings: 11th Airborne (Air-Assault)wings courtesy from an 11th Airborne and Vietnam Air Assault combat veteran

Yet when the 11th Airborne Division was disbanded after the Howze Air-Mobility board tests were finished, the original Air Assault Wings designed and worn by these Paratroopers were also lost, too. When the current "Bullwinkle wings" were institutionalized in 1974, the elan and image of Air Assault as an elite unit to belong to, strive to attend the school has suffered in contrast to the better looking Airborne parachutist wings. The tragedy is that now after years of helicopters getting a bad report from mis-use as a "battle taxi" delivering foot-mobile troops directly into the teeth of enemy fire instead of developing lightweight armored vehicles and having helicopters deliver Air Assault troops to offset Landing Zones, coupled with a mediocre-looking badge, and no official branch journal to bring up and solve problems, share new ideas Army Aviation units are being de-emphasized in an Army suddenly in love with the lazy man's armored car as a road-bound wannabe tank. What is at risk is an Army that at best can only maneuver in 2-Dimensions, more likely only 1-Dimension as its stuck to road nets in armored car wheels making excellent targets for the enemy's mines, massed RPGs and missiles. Digitized "calls for supporting arms help" will not save the "911" force if its unable to save itself with its own cross-country mobility and firepower.

As a point of honor, all Soldiers who have "jumped" from a helicopter in combat should be able to affix a bronze combat star to their Air Assault wings in the same manner as its now done if you did a combat parachute jump and added combat jump stars to your parachute wings. What you see below would look even better on the 11th Airborne's Air Assault wings!

Saying all this, the Air Assault badge earned by completing Air Assault School could be vastly improved over the current "bullwinkle" badge by IMMEDIATELY ADOPTING THE ORIGINAL 11th AIRBORNE'S AIR ASSAULT WINGS AS U.S. ARMY STANDARD. The following image links are other possible candidates for a better Air Assault badge that could and should replace the current badge. But we are convinced the 11th Airborne's Air assault wings are the answer. Our Air Assault troops take great risks flying in helicopters, low-level at night and deserve a badge commensurate with their sacrifices and courage shown.

New Candidate wings 1

New candidate wings 2

New Candidate wings 3

New candidate wings 4

Another idea would be to use an old badge from U.S. Army history with some "history" behind it:

Veteran Alan Pearce writes:

"I have looked at the web page concerning the Air Assault wings. The badge I would suggest to replace the current Air Assault badge would be the old 11th Air Assault wings. These are a flintlock rifle crossed with a lightning bolt, a shield similar to the Aircrew member wings, with two wings swept upwards at about a 75 degree angle. I have a set of these wings, and I have always thought they looked sharp, and a great deal more distinctive than the "Bullwinkle" badge. Instead of creating a completely new badge, why not take a look at some designs out of history? I don't know who produced the badge in my collection, but I imagine that a major insignia manufacturer might still have some of these dies. I don't know if your group has considered these or not. I would appreciate a reply to my e-mail, just to know you received it. Thank you."

A currently serving 101st Air Assault Division Sky Trooper writes:

"Another problem with the current air assault wings are that those who are Rappelmaster qualified, have no distinction on their badge. Airborne Soldiers who are Jumpmasters have a star or wreath depending on the number of jumps they have."

We suggested a bronze lightning bolt device be attached to the center of the air assault wings. He replies:

"That would be great! Another suggestion that a ot of us here in the 101st favor is a small star atop the rotor of the Huey. Rappel master school is VERY intensive, and I think it is something that should be amended. These Soldiers need recognition.

Thanks for the response."

Air Assault,

XXX XXXXXXXX

If you would like to offer some more suggestions, please email us:

1st Tactical Studies Group (Airborne) Headquarters

We might be able to create online your idea for a better Air Assault badge.

If you like what you see, copy, print, link your input through your unit chain of command and contact:

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
THE INSTITUTE OF HERALDRY
9325 Gunston Road, Room S117
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5579

Wear Policy

 HQDA (DAPE-HR-PR)
Pentagon, Room 2B652
Washington, DC 20310

Awards Policy

 CDR, PERSCOM
ATTN: TAPC-PDO-PA
200 Stovall Street
Alexandria, VA 22332-0405

MACOM

 Commander
U.S. Army Forces Command
ATTN: DASG-ZA
Fort McPherson, GA 30330-6000

If you wish to submit a suggestion, please send it on a DA Form 2028 to the following address:

HQDA
ATTN: DAPE-HR-PR
300 Army Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310-0300

Visit the Army uniform webpage at:

www.odcsper.army.mil/default.asp?pageid=69f

POC:

MSG Kittie L. Messman
HQDA Uniform Policy
Ft. Belvoir, Va
DSN 225-6361
COM (703) 695-6361
FAX: DSN 223-0212 COM (703) 693-0212

Murphy the motivator

Want Pvt Murphy in your pocket?

Murphy-manReturn to Army Equipment Shop

RETURN TO AES HOME